A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF SUBSTITUTED 3-HYDROXY-4-ARYL-5-OXOPYRAZOLINE DERIVATIVES

Abstract

A process ror me prepara1:10n or a compouna or formula 1 wherein the substituents are as prescribed in the description, which process comprises reacting a compound of formula II wherein the substituents are as prescribed in the description, in an inert organic solvent, optionally in the presence of a base, with a compound of formula IV, IVa or IVb and optionally converting the resulting compound of formula I wherein G is a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium cation, by salt conversion into the corresponding salt of formula I wherein G is a sulfonium or phosphonium cation, or by treatment with a Bronsted acid into the corresponding compound of formula I wherein G is hydrogen.

Full Text

The present invention relates to a new process for the preparation of herbicidally active substituted 3-hydroxy-4-ap/I-5-oxopyrazo(ine derivatives.
3-Hydroxy-4-an/l-5-oxopyrazolines having herbicidal action and the preparation thereof are described, for example, in WO 92/16510, EP-A-0 508 126, WO 95/01971, WO 96/21652. WO 96/25395. WO 97/02243 and in WO 99/47525.
Surprisingly, it has now been found that substituted 3-hydroxy-4-aryl-5-oxopyrazoline derivatives can readily be prepared in a high yield and with a high degree of purity by the condensation of ar/lmalonic acid diamides or arylmalonic acid monoamides with hydrazine
derivatives.
The present invention accordingly relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of fomnula I

Ro, together with the adjacent substituents Ri, Rs and R3, forms a saturated or unsaturated Ca-Cshydrocarbon bridge that may be interrupted by 1 or 2 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur and/or may be substituted by Ci-C4alkyl; Ru Rs and R3 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, Ci-CealkyI, C2-C6-alkenyl, Ca-Cealkynyl, CG-CecycloalkyI, CrCehaloalkyl, Ca-Cehaloalkenyl, d-Cgalkoxy-carbonyl-Ca-Cealkenyl, CrC6alkylcarbonyl-C2-C6alkenyl, cyano-Ca-Cealkenyl, nitro-C2-C6-alkenyl, Ca-Cehaloalkynyl, Ci-C6alkoxycarbonyl-C2"C6alkynyl. Ci-C6alkylcarbonyl-C2-C6-alkynyl, cyano-Ca-Csaikynyl, nitro-C2-C6alkynyl, Co-CehalocycloalkyI, hydroxy-Ci-Cgalkyi, CrCealkoxy-CrCealkyI, CrCeaJkytthio-CrCealkyl, cyano, CrC4alkylcarbonyl, CrCealkoxy^ carbonyl, hydroxy, Ci-Cioalkoxy, Ca-Cealkenyloxy, Cs-Cealkynyloxy. Ci-Ceha.loalkoxy, C3-C6-haloalkenyloxy, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ci-Cealkoxy, mercapto, CrCeaJkylthio, d-Cehaloalkylthio, Ci-Cealkylsulfinyl, Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl, nitro, amino, Ci-Csalkylamino, di(CrC6alkyl)amino or phenoxy in which the phenyl ring may be substituted by Ci-Caalkyl, CrCshaloalkyI, C1-C3-alkoxy, Ci-Cshaloalkoxy. halogen, cyano or by nitro;
Ra also may be phenyl, naphthyl or a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring that may contain 1 or 2 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, wherein the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by halogen, Ca-CacycloalkyI, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, cyano, nitro or by formyl; and/or
the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by CrCealkyI, CrCealkoxy, hydroxy-Ci-CealkyI, Ci-Csalkoxy-Ci-Cealkyl, CI-CQ-alkoxy-Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl, CrCealkylthio, CrCealkylsulfinyl, Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl. mono-Ci-Cealkylamino, di(CrC6alkyl)amino, Ci-Cealkyicarbonylamino, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl-(Ci-CealkyOamino, Ca-Cealkenyl, Ca-Csalkenyloxy, hydroxy-Ca-Cealkenyl, Ct-Cealkoxy-Ca-Ce-alkenyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ca-Cealkenyloxy, Ca-Cealkenylcarbonyl, Ca-Cealkenylthio, C2-C6alkenyl-sulfinyl, C2-C6aikenylsulfonyl, mono- or di-(C2-C6alkenyl)amino, Ci-CealkyKCa-Cealkenyl)-amino, C2-C6alkeny!carbonylamino, Ca-CsalkenylcarbonyKCi-Cealkyljamino, C2-C6alkynyi, Cs-Cealkynyloxy, hydroxy-Co-Cealkynyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ca-Cealkynyi, CrC6alkoxy-C4-C6alkynyl-oxy, Ca-Cealkynylcarbonyl, Ca-Cealkynyithio, Cs-Cealkynylsulfinyl, Ca-Cealkynylsulfonyl, mono- or di"(C3-C6alkynyl)amino, Ci-C6alkyl(C3-C6alkynyl)amino, C2-C6alkynylcarbonylamino or by Ca-CealkynyicarbonyKCrCealkyOamino; and/or
the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by halo-substituted C-CealkyI, d-Cealkoxy, hydroxy-CrCealkyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ci-Cealkyl, Ci-Csalkoxy-Ci-Csalkoxy, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl, Ci-Cealkylthio. Ci-Cealkylsulfinyl,

CrCealkylsulfonyl, mono-CrCealkylamino, di(CrC6alkyl)amino, CrCealkylcarbonylamino, Ci-C6alkylcarbonyl(Ci-C6alkyl)amino, Cs-Cealkenyl. Cg-Cealkenyloxy, hydroxy-CG-Cealkenyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-Cs-Cealkenyl, CrCsalkoxy-Ca-Csalkenyloxy, Ca-Csalkenylcarbonyl, Cs-Cealkenyl^ thio, C2-C6alkenylsulfinyl, Cj-Cealkenylsulfonyl, mono- ordi-(C2-C6alkenyl)amino, Ci-Ceakyl-(Ca-CealkenyOamino, Ca-Cealkenylcarbonylamino, C2-C6alkenylcarbonyl(CrC6alkyl)amino, Ca-Cealkynyl, Ca-Cealkynyloxy, hydroxy-Ca-CeaJkynyl, d-Cealkoxy-Ca-Cealkynyl, CrCealkoxy-C4-C6alkynyloxy, Ca-Cealkynylcarbonyl, Cz-Cealkynylthio, Ca-Cealkynylsulfinyj, Ca-Cealkynyl-sulfonyl, mono- or di-(C3-C6alkynyl)amino, Ci-CealkyKCs-CealkynyOamino, Cs-Cealkynyl-carbonyiamino or C2-C6alkynylcarbonyl(Ci-C6alkyl)amino; and/or
the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by a radical of the formula COOR50, CONR5,, S02NR53R54or SO2OR55 wherein R50. R51. Rsz, R53, R54 and R55 are each independently of the others CrCealkyj, Ca-Cealkenyl or Ca-Cealkynyl or halo-, hydroxy-, alkoxy-, mercapto-, amino-, cyano-, nitro-, alkylthio-, alkylsulfinyl- or alkylsulfonyl-substituted CrCealkyl, Ca-Cealkenyl or Cs-Cealkynyl; n isO, 1 or 2;
R4 and R5 are each independently of the other hydrogen, CrCiaalkyI, Ci-Ci2haloalkyl, C2-C8alkenyl, C2-Cealkynyl. CrCioalkoxy-Ci-CsalkyJ, poly-Ci-Cioalkoxy-Ci-CaalkyI, Cr Cioalkylthio-Ci-Csalkyi, Ca-Cscycloalkyl, Ca-CBhalocycloalkyl, 4- to 8-membered heterocyclyl, phenyl, a- or p-naphthyl, phenyl-CrCealkyJ, a- or p-naphthyl-Ci-CealkyI, 5- or 6-membered heteroaryi or 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl-Ci-Cealkyl, wherein those aromatic and heteroaromatic rings may be substituted by halogen, CrCealkyI, Ci-Cehaloaikyl, d-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloaikoxy, nitro or by cyano; or
R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 8-membered heterocyclic ring that 1) may be interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by -NRi4' and/or may be substituted by halogen, CrCioalkyI, CrCiohaloalkyI, hydroxy, d-Cealkoxy, Ci-Csalkoxy-Ci-Csalkoxy, d-Cehaloalkoxy, mercapto, Ci-Cealkylthio, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, heteroaryi, heteroaryl-CrCealkyJ, phenyl, phenyl-CrCealkyl or by benzyloxy. wherein the phenyl rings of the last three substituents may in turn be substituted by halogen, d-CealkyI, Ci-Cehaloaikyl, CrCealkoxy, CrCehaloalkoxy or by nitro, and/or 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene or alkenylene chain having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms that is optionally interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene or alkenylene chain; R14 is hydrogen, d-C4alkyl, CrCealkylcarbonyl, CrCealkylsulfonyl, Ca-Cealkenyi or Ca-Csalkynyt; and

wherein Ro, Ri, Ra, R3 and n are as defined hereinbefore; Re is RsRgNs R7 is RioRnN- or R12O-; and Ra, R9. Rio. Rn and R,2 are each independently of the others hydrogen, Ci-Ce-alkyl, Ci-CehaloalkyI, Ca-Cealkenyl or benzyl, wherein the phenyl ring of the benzyl group may be substituted by Ci-C4alkyl, halogen, Ci-C4haloalkyl, Ci-C4alkoxy or by nitro, in an inert organic solvent, optionally in the presence of a base, with a compound of formula IV, IVa or IVb
' C^' I -(H'Hal) (IVa) or | •2(KHal) (IVb),
"*^^R HN HN.
wherein R4 and R5 are as defined hereinbefore and H»Hal is a hydrogen halide. and optionally converting the resulting compound of formula I wherein G is a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium cation, by salt conversion into the corresponding salt of formula I wherein G is a sulfonium or phosphonium cation, or by treatment with a Bronsted acid into the corresponding compound of formula I wherein G is hydrogen.
The present invention relates also to the direct ('in situ') conversion, in a one-pot reaction, of compounds of formula I to compounds of formula la

Ri 0 '^^' R5
V/ // A \ ^R4
R3 0G„
(Ro)n J

(la),

wherein Ro, Ri, R2, R3, R4, R5 and n are as defined for formula I;
Go is a group -C(0)-R3o. -C(X,)-X2-R3i, -C(X3)-N(R32)-R33. -SO2-R34 or -P(X4)(R35)-R36:

Xi, Xzy X3 and X4 are each independently of the others oxygen or sulfur; R30 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted CrCaoalkyi, C2-C2oalkenyl, Ci-Caalkoxy-CrCaalkyI, CrCaalkyithio-CrCaalkyl. poly-Ci-Caalkoxy-Ci-CgalkyI or unsubstituted or halo-, CrCsalkyl-or Ci-Cealkoxy-substituted Cs-CacycloalkyI, in which optionally at least one ring member has been replaced by oxygen and/or by sulfur, Cs-Cecycloalkyl-CrCealkyI, heterocyclyl-CrCs-alkyl, heteroaryl-Cj-Cealkyl, unsubstituted or halo-, cyano-, nitro-, Ct-CealkyI-, CrCealkoxy-, d-Cehaloalkyl-, CrCahaloalkoxy-, Ci-Cealkylthio- or Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl-substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, cyano-, CrCealkyI-, d-Cealkoxy-, CrCehaloalkyI- orCrCe-haloalkoxy-substituted phenyl-CrCgalkyl, unsubstituted or halo- or Ci-Cgalkyl-substituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted or halo- or CrCealkyl-substituted phenoxy-CrCealkyI, or unsub¬stituted or halo-, amino- or d-Cealkyl-substituted heteroaryloxy-Ci-CealkyI; R3, is unsubstituted or halo-substituted Ct-CsoalkyI, Ce-Caoalkenyl, Ci-C8alkoxy-C2-C8alkyl, poly-CrC8alkoxy-C2-Caalkyl, unsubstituted or halo-. CrCgalkyl- or Ci-Cealkoxy-substituted Ca-CacycloatkyI, Ca-Cecycloalkyl-CrCealkyl, heterocyclyl-CrCaalkyl, heteroaryl-Ci-Csalkyl, unsubstituted or halo-, cyano-, nitro-, Ci-CealkyI-, d-Cealkoxy-, CrCehaloalkyI- or CrCe-haloalkoxy-substituted phenyl or benzyl;
R32 and R33 are each independently of the other hydrogen, unsubstituted or halo-substituted Ci-Caalkyl, Cs-Cacycloaikyl. CrCaalkoxy. Ca-Caalkenyl, CrCaalkoxy-CrCaalkyI, unsubstituted or halo-, d-Cshaloalkyl-, CrCaalkyI- or Ct-Csalkoxy-substituted phenyl or benzyl; or R32 and R33 together form a Ca-Cealkylene chain in which a carbon atom has optionally been replaced by oxygen or by sulfur;
R34 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted Ci-Caalkyl. Ca-Cgalkenyl, Ca-Cahaloalkenyl, Cs-Cs-alkynyl, Ca-Cahaloalkynyl, or unsubstituted or haio-, CrCealkyI-, CrCaalkoxy-, CrC4halo-alkyl-, CrC4haloalkoxy-, cyano- or nitro-substituted phenyl or benzyl; R35 and R36 are each independently of the other unsubstituted or halo-substituted Cr CaalkyI, Ci-Cealkoxy, d-Caalkylamino, di(Ci-C8alkyl)amino, d-Caalkylthio, Ca-Caalkenylthio, Cs-Cycycloalkylthio, or unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, cyano-, CrC4alkoxy-, CrC4haloa!koxy-, Ci-C4alkylthio-, CrC4haloalkylthio-, d-C4alkyl- or d-C4haloalkyl-substituted phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio,
which conversion comprises reacting compounds of formula I, optionally in the presence of an acid-binding agent or a catalyst, with an electrophile of formula XII or Xlld
Go-L (Xll) or R32-N=C=X3 (Xlld),

wherein Go, R32 and X3 are as defined hereinbefore except that R32 is not hydrogen, and L is a leaving group, for example R3oC(0)0', R31X2- or halogen^ preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine.
Depending on the substituents Ro to R5, G and Go, the compounds of formulae I and la may be in the form of geometric and/or optical isomers or isomeric mixtures (atropisomers) and, when G is hydrogen, a metal ion equivalent, or an ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium cation, they may be in the form of tautomers or tautomeric mixtures.
If the starting materials employed are not enantiomerically pure, the compounds of formulae I and la obtained in the above-described processes are generally in the form of racemates or diastereoisomeric mixtures which, if desired, can be separated on the basis of their physicochemical properties according to known methods, such as, for example, fractional crystallisation following salt formation with optically pure bases, acids or metal complexes, or by chromatographic procedures, such as, for example, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) on acetyl cellulose.
In the present invention, the compounds of formulae I and la are to be understood as both the enriched and optically pure forms of the respective stereoisomers as well as the racemates and diastereoisomers. Unless there is specific reference to the individual optical antipodes, the given formulae are to be understood as the racemic mixtures that have been obtained by the preparation process according to the invention. When an aliphatic C=C double bond is present, geometric isomerism may also occur.
The present invention relates also to the salts that the compounds of formulae I and la are able to form with acids. Suitable acids for the formation of the acid addition salt include both organic and inorganic acids. Examples of such acids are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acids, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, organic sulfonic acids, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and salicylic acid.
In view of their acidity, the compounds of formula I wherein G is hydrogen can readily be converted in the presence of bases (proton acceptors) into the corresponding salts (wherein G is, for example, a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium cation), as described, for example, in EP-A-0 508 126. Any customary proton acceptor may be used as base. The

trichloropropenyl, 4,4,4-trifluorobut'2'en-1-yl and 4,4,4-trichlorobut'2-en-1-yl- Preferred alkenyl radicals substituted once, twice or three times by halogen are those having a chain length of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms. The alkenyl groups may be substituted by halogen at saturated or unsaturated carbon atoms.
Suitable haloalkynyl groups include, for example, alkynyl groups substituted one or more times by halogen, halogen being bromine or iodine and especially fluorine or chlorine, for example 3-fluoropropynyl, 3-chloropropynyl, 3-bromopropynyl and 4,4,4-trifluorobut-2-yn-1-
Alkenyloxy is, for example, allyloxy, methallyloxy or but-2-en-1-yloxy.
Alkynyloxy is, for example, propargyloxy or l-methylpropargyloxy.
Suitable haloalkenyloxy groups include alkenyloxy groups substituted one or more times by halogen, halogen being in particular bromine or iodine and especially fluorine or chlorine, for example 2- and 3-fluoropropenyloxy, 2- and 3-chloropropenyloxy, 2- and 3-bromo-propenyloxy, 2,3,3-trifluoropropenyloxy, 2,3,3-trichloropropenyloxy, 4,4,4-trifluorobut-2-en-1 -yloxy and 4,4,4-trichlorobut-2-en-1-yloxy.
Alkoxyalkyl groups have preferably from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkoxyalkyl is, for example, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl, n-propoxymethyl, n-propoxyethyl, isopropoxymethyl or isopropoxyethyl.
Haloalkoxy is, for example, fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-tri-fluoroethoxy, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy or 2,2,2-trichloro-ethoxy.
Polyalkoxy-alkyI is, for example, methoxymethoxy-methyl, ethoxymethoxy-methyl, ethoxy-ethoxy-methyl, n-propoxyethoxy-methyl, isopropoxyethoxy-methyl, methoxymethoxy-ethyl, ethoxymethoxy-ethyl, ethoxyethoxy-ethyl, n-propoxyethoxy-methyl, n-propoxyethoxy-ethyl, isopropoxyethoxy-methyl, isopropoxyethoxy-ethyl or (ethoxy)3-ethyL

Suitable cycloalkyi substituents contain from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and are, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl. They may be substituted one or more times by halogen, preferably fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine.
Alkylcarbonyl is especially acetyl or propionyl.
Alkoxycarbonyl is, for example, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n-propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl or a butoxycarbonyl, pentyloxycarbonyl or hexyloxycarbonyl isomer, preferably methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl.
Phenyl, phenoxy and naphthyl may be in substituted form, in which case the substituents may, as desired, be in the ortho-, meta- and/or para-position and, in the case of the naphthyl ring system, in addition in the 5-. 6-, 7- and/or 8-position. Preferred positions for the substituents are the ortho- and para-position to the ring attachment point. Where the phenyl, phenoxy and naphthyl substituents are not explicitly mentioned they are, for example, C,-C4alkyl, halogen, d-Cehaloalkyl, CrCealkoxy, d-Cehaloalkoxy, nitro, cyano, amino, CrC4alkyiamino or di(Ci-C4alkyl)amino.
Alkylthio groups preferably have a chain length of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkylthio is, for example, methylthjo, ethylthio, propylthio, butylthio, pentylthio or hexylthio, or a branched isomer thereof, but is preferably methylthio or ethylthio,
Haloalkylthio is, for example, 2,2.2'trifluoroethylthio or 2,2,2-trichloroethylthio.
Alkylsulfinyl is, for example, methylsulfinyl. ethylsulfinyl, n-propyisulfinyl, isopropylsulfinyl, n-butylsulfinyl, isobutylsulfinyl, sec-butylsulfinyl or tert-butylsulfinyl; preferably methylsulfinyl or ethylsulfinyl.
Alkylsulfonyl is, for example, methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, n-propylsulfonyl, isopropylsulfonyl, n-butylsulfonyl, isobutylsulfonyl, sec-butylsulfonyl or tert-butylsulfonyl; preferably methylsulfonyl or ethylsulfonyl.
Alkylamino is, for example, methylamino, ethylamino, n-propylamino, isopropylamino or a butyl-, pentyl- or hexyl-amine isomer.

Dialkylamino is, for example, dimethylamino, methylethylamino, diethylamino, n-propyl-methyiamino, dibutylamino ordiisopropylamino,
Alkylthioalkyt is, for example, methylthiomethyl, methylthioethyl, ethylthiomethyl, ethylthio-ethyl, n-propylthiomethyl, n-propylthioethyl, isopropylthiomethyl or isopropylthioethyl.
Heterocyclyl radicals are preferably 4- to 8-membered rings that contain 1 or 2 hetero atoms, for example N, S and/or O. They are usually saturated.
Heteroaryi radicals are usually 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocycles that contain preferably from 1 to 3 hetero atoms, such as N, S and/or O. The following are examples of suitable heterocyclyl and heteroaryi radicals: pyridyl, pyrrolidyl, piperidyl, pyranyl, dioxanyl, azetidyl, oxetanyl, pyrimidyl, triazinyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazinyl, furyl, thienyl, morpholyl, piperazinyl, pyrazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzo-thiazolyl, quinoxaiyi, indolyl and quinolyl. Those heterocycles and heteroaromatic radicals may in addition be substituted, the subslituents, where they are not explicitly mentioned, being, for example, halogen, Ci-CealkyI, Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkyl, CrC^haloalkoxy, CrCealkylthio, amino, Ct-Cealkyjamino, di(CrC6alkyl)amino, phenyl, nitro or cyano.
The substituent definition according to which "R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a saturated or unsaturated, 5- to 8-membered heterocyclic ring that 1) may be interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by -NR14- and/or may be substituted by halogen, d-Cioalkyl, CrCiohaloalkyl, hydroxy, CrCealkoxy, Ci-Csalkoxy-CrCealkoxy, d-Ce-haloalkoxy, mercapto. Ci-Cealkylthio, Cs-Cycycloalkyl, heteroaryi, heteroaryl-CrCsalkyI, phenyl, phenyl-d-Cealkyl or by benzyloxy, wherein the phenyl rings of the last three substituents may in turn be substituted by halogen, d-Cealkyl, d-CshaloalkyI, Ci-Cealkoxy, d-Cehaloalkoxy or by nitro, and/or 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene or aikenylene chain having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms that is optionally intermpted by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene or aikenylene chain", signifies, for example, the following heterocyclic ring systems;

o

o

CD, CD

or

In the above polycyclic rings systems, the abbreviated representation

denotes

the group

The 5- to 8-membered heterocyclic rings that the substituents R4 and R5 together may form and the fused or spiro-bound alkylene or alkenylene chains having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms may accordingly be interrupted once or twice by hetero atoms, such as, for example, oxygen.
Meanings corresponding to those given hereinbefore can also be ascribed to the substituents in composite definitions, such as, for example, alkoxy-alkoxy, alkyl-sulfonylamino, alkyl-aminosulfonyl, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonylamino, phenyl-alkyi, naphthyl-alky! and heteroaryi-aikyl.

In the definitions of alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino and alkoxycarbonyl, the carbon atom of the carbonyl is not included in the lower and upper limits given for the number of carbon atoms in each particular case.
The composite definitions that may arise in respect of the radicals R30, R31 and R34 in substituent Go in formula la, such as, for example, cycloalkyl-thio, cycloalkyl-alkyi, heterocyclyl-alkyi, heteroaryl-alkyl, phenyl-alkyi, phenoxy-alkyi and heteroaryloxy-alkyi radicals, are derived from the corresponding radicals of the radicals mentioned above. Heterocyclyl radicals are preferably those containing 1 or 2 hetero atoms, such as, for example, N, S and O. They are usually saturated.
Heteroaryl radicals are usually aromatic heterocycles that contain preferably from 1 to 3 hetero atoms, such as N, S and/or O, Such heterocycles and heteroaromatic radicals may furthermore be substituted, for example by halogen, Ci-C4alkyl and/or amino. The C2-C20-alkenyl groups represented by R31 may be mono- or poly-unsaturated. They contain preferably from 2 to 12, especially from 2 to 6, carbon atoms.
The definition of the electrophile G-L of formula XII includes the following electrophiles: L-C(0)-R3o (Xlla). L-C(Xi)-X2-R3i (Xllb), L-C(X3)-N(R32)-R33 (Xllc), RasN^C^Xa (Xlld), L-S02^R34 (Xlle) and L-P(X4)(R35)-R36 (Xllf).
In the electrophile of formula XII, L is a leaving group, such as, for example, R3oC(0)0- or R31O- (wherein R30 and R31 are as defined for formula la), or halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine.
The process according to the invention is especially well suited to the preparation of compounds of formula I wherein Ro is, each independently of any other, halogen, CrCe-alkyl, CrCehaloalkyI, hydroxy, Ci-Cealkoxy, nitro, amino, Ci-Cealkylamino, di(Ci-C6alkyl)-amino, Ci-Cealkylcarbonylamino, Ci-Cealkylsulfonylamino, Ci-Cealkylaminosulfonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, CrCealkoxycarbonyl or carboxy; and
Ri, Raand R3 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, CrCealkyI, C2-C6-alkenyl, Ca-Cealkynyl, Ca-CecycloalkyI, d-Cehaloalkyl, Ca-Cehaloalkenyl, Ca-Cehaloalkynyi, Ca-Cfihalocycloalkyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ci-CealkyI, Ci-Cealkyithio-Ci-Cealkyl. cyano, Ci-C4alkyl-carbonyl. Ci-Cealkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, Ci-Cioalkoxy, Cs-Cealkenyloxy, Ca-Cealkynyloxy, CrCehaloalkoxy, Ca-Cehaloalkenyioxy, Ci-Cealkoxy-CrCealkoxy, mercapto, CrCsalkylthio,

CrCehaloalkylthio, Ci-Cealkylsulfinyl, Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl, nitro, amino, Ci-C4alky!amino or di(Ci-C4alkyl)amino.
The process according to the invention is especially well suited also to the preparation of compounds of formula I wherein Ri, R2 and R3 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C4alkyl, C2-C4alkenyl, C2-C4alkynyl, Ci-C4haloalkyl, C3- or C4-halo-alkenyl. Cs-Cecycloalkyi, CrC4alkylcarbonyl, Ci-Cealkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, Ci-C4alkoxy, C3- or C4-alkenyloxy, C3- or C4-alkynyloxy, Ci-C4haloalkoxy, nitro or amino.
The process according to the invention is especially well suited also to the preparation of compounds of formula I wherein R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a saturated or unsaturated, 6- or7-membered heterocyclic ring that 1) may be interrupted once by oxygen or by sulfur and/or 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene chain having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms that is optionally interrupted once or twice by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene chain.
In a preferred variant of the process according to the invention, there are preferably used compounds of formula II wherein Re, Rg, Rio, Rn and R12 are hydrogen, Ci-CealkyI or benzyl.
The preparation of the compounds of formulae I and la is explained in detail in the following Reaction Schemes 1 and 2.
Reaction Scheme 1

The compounds of formulae II and IV, IVa or IVb can be used in equimolar amounts, but an excess of from 5 to 50 mol % of the compound of formula IV, IVa or IVb can be of advantage.
The reaction of compounds of formula II with compounds of formula IV, IVa or IVb is carried out at a reaction temperature of from O' to 200°C, a temperature range of from 80X to 150°C being preferred.
Suitable inert organic solvents for the reaction of compounds of formula II with compounds of formula IV, IVa or IVb are, for example, aromatic, aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydro-carbons, for example, benzene, toluene, the xylene isomers ortho-, meta* and para-xylene, cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane; halogenated hydrocarbons, for example chloro-benzene and the dichlorobenzene isomers 1,2-, 1,3-and 1,4-dichlorobenzene; ethers, for example dibutyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME), ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, 1,3-dioxolane and dioxane; nitriles, for example acetonitrile, propionitrile and benzonitrile; dialkyi sulfoxides, for example dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); amides and lactams, for example N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-diethylformamide and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP); alcohols, glycols (diols) and polyalcohols, for example propanol, butanol, cyclohexanol, ethylene glycol and 2-ethoxyethanol, and also, generally, carboxylic acids, for example acetic acid and propionic acid, or mixtures of those solvents.
Preference is given to those organic solvents having a boiling point > 80°C, especially a boiling point >100°C.
Special preference is given to toluene, the xylene isomers ortho-, meta- and para-xylene, methylcyclohexane, chlorobenzene and the dichlorobenzene isomers 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-dichlorobenzene.
The reaction according to the invention is preferably carried out in an inert gas atmosphere, for example in a nitrogen or argon gas atmosphere.
The condensation of compounds of formula II with compounds of formula IV can be carried out with or without the addition of a base. The same condensation reaction carried out with compounds of formula IVa or IVb (instead of compounds of formula IV) is advantageously

carried out in the presence of a base. Suitable bases in that case include, for example, nitrogen bases generally, for example tertiary amines and pyridines, for example Ci-Ce-trialkylamines, quinuclidine and 4-dimethylaminopyridine, Further suitable bases are, for example, alkali metal alcoholates, for example sodium and potassium methanolate, sodium and potassium ethanolate and sodium and potassium tert-butanolate. It is also possible to use inorganic bases, for example alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydrides, such as sodium, potassium or calcium hydride, hydroxides, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, carbonates, such as sodium or potassium carbonate, and hydrogen carbonates, such as sodium or potassium hydrogen carbonate, especially in the form of solutions in alcohol. Such bases are used in catalytic amounts or in a molar excess of up to 5 based on the compound of formula II.
In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, an aromatic hydro¬carbon having a boiling point > 80°C, for example xylene, is used as the reaction medium in which the reactants of formulae II and IV, IVa or IVb are dissolved. Preferably, the com¬pound of formula IV, IVa or IVb is used in an excess of from 5 to 20 mol % based on the compound of formula II. The reaction mixture is heated at reflux temperature for from 1 to 3 hours in an inert gas atmosphere, with or without the addition of a base when a compound of formula IV is used, and in the presence of an equimolar amount or an up to 5-fold excess of an organic base, such as triethylamine, when a compound of formula IVa or IVb is used. After cooling and the addition of dilute acid, the desired product (G = hydrogen) precipitates in the form of a crystalline solid and can be filtered off directly and washed with a suitable washing agent, for example water and/or hexane.
The compounds of formula I wherein Ro, Ri, R2, R3, R4, R5 and n are as defined herein-before and G is hydrogen, a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium cation can readily be converted into the compounds of formula la either
a) in accordance with the invention, directly in the reaction solution in a one-pot reaction, without isolation, or
b) in a subsequent reaction step, after having been isolated,
by means of reaction, optionally in the presence of an acid-binding agent or a catalyst, with an electrophile of formula XII wherein Go is as defined hereinbefore and L is a leaving group, for example R3oC(0)0- or R31O- (wherein R30 and R31 are as defined for formula la),

R, O
^ p GQ-L L-C(0)R3O or bC(X,)X2R3, or
XII Xlla Xllb r,
, ■ R L-C(X3)N(R32)R33 or R32N=C=X3
R3 OG ^ Xllc Xlld ^^0)
N
n
(RQ)
'36
n or L-S02R3^ or L-P(X^)(R35)R
Xlle Xllf
I: (G= H, alkali metal ion, alkaline earth la: (G^= ■C(0)R3Q, 'C(X^))(^R^^,
metal ion, ammonium cation) 'C(X)3N(R32)R33, -S02R34 or
-P(X,)(R,5)R36)
The acid-binding agents that may be used for the reaction of a compound of formula I with an electrophile of formula XII may be conventional proton acceptors, for example alkali metal hydrides, alkali metal alcoholates. alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonates or hydrogen carbonates, or nitrogen bases generally, for example triethylamine, diisopropyl-amine, pyridine, quinoline, diazabicyclononene (DBN) and diazabicycloundecene (DBU), There may be added as catalysts for the reaction of a compound of formula I with an electrophile of formula lid catalysts that accelerate the reaction, for example organotin compounds, for example dibutyltin dilaurate.
The solvents used may be any that are inert with respect to the electrophiles of formulae XII and Xlla to Xllf, for example aromatic hydrocarbons, for example benzene, toluene or a xylene isomer; halogenated hydrocarbons, for example dichloromethane, trichloromethane, chlorobenzene era dichlorobenzene isomer; amides, for example N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or 1-methyl-2-pyrro!idone (NMP); or ethers, for example dibutyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxy-ethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane, tetrahydrofuran ordioxane.
Analogous reactions of compounds of formula I wherein G is hydrogen in accordance with the above variant b), that is to say, as a separate reaction step, are described, for example, in WO 97/02243 and EP-A-0 508 126.
The compounds of formula I prepared in accordance with the invention wherein G is hydrogen, a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium cation are

therefore used especially as starting compounds for the 'in situ' preparation of compounds of formula la wherein Go is a group 'C(0)-R3o. -C(Xi)-X3-R3i, -C(X3)-N(R32)'R33, -SO2-R34 or -P(X4)(R35)-R36; and R30, R31, Rsz, R33, R34, R35. R36. Xi, X2, X3 and X4 are as defined for formula la.
The compounds of formula I

or Ca-Cealkynyl or halo-, hydroxy-, alkoxy-, mercapto-, amino-, cyano-, nitro-, alkylthio-, alkylsulfinyl- or alkylsulfonyl-substituted CfCealkyl, Ca-Csalkenyl or Cs-Cealkynyl; n is 1 or 2; R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 8-membered heterocyclic ring that 1) is interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by -NRi4- and may be substituted by halogen, Ci-Cioalkyl, Ci-CiohaloalkyI, hydroxy, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, CrCealkoxy-CrCealkoxy, Ci-Cshaloalkoxy, mercapto, CrCealkylthio, C3-Cycycloaikyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryi-Ct-Cealkyl, phenyl, phenyl-CrCealkyI or by benzyloxy, wherein the phenyl rings of the last three substituents may in turn be substituted by halogen, Ci-Ceatkyi, Ci-CehaloalkyI, Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy or by nitro, and 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene or alkenylene chain having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms that is optionally interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene or alkenylene chain; Ru is hydrogen, Ci-C4alkyt, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl, CrCealkylsulfonyl, Ca-Cealkenyl or Ca-Cealkynyl; and G is hydrogen or a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium cation, are new. The present invention accordingly relates also to those compounds.
The compounds of formula la

CrC6alkylcarbonyl(Ci-C6alkyl)annino, Cz-Cealkenyl, Ca-Cealkenyloxy, hydroxy-Ca-Cealkenyl, CrC6alkoxy'C2-C6alkenyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-Cs-Csalkenyloxy, Ca-Cealkenylcarbonyl, C2-C6alkenyl-thio, C2-C6alkenylsulfinyl, Cj-Cealkenylsulfonyl, nnono- or di-{C2-C6alkenyl)amino, CrCgalkyl-(Ca-CeaikenyOamino, Cs-Cealkenylcarbonylamino, C2-C6alkenylcarbonyl(CrC6alkyl)amino, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C6alkynyloxy, hydroxy-Ca-Cealkynyl, CrCeaikoxy-Ca'Cealkynyi, CrCgalkoxy-C4-C6alkynyloxy, Ca-Cealkynylcarbonyl, C2"C6alkynylthio, C2-C6alkynylsulfinyl, C2-C6alkynyl-sulfonyl, mono- or di-(C3-C6alkynyl)amino, Ci-C6alkyl(C3-C6alkynyl)amino, C2-C6alkynyl-carbonylamino or C2-C6alkynylcarbonyl(Ci-C6alkyl)amino; and/or
the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by a radical of the formula COOR50. CONRst, S02NR53R54or SO2OR55 wherein Rso^ R51, R52. R53r R54 and R55 are each independently of the others Ci-CealkyI, Ca-Cealkenyl or Ca-Cealkynyl or halo*, hydroxy-, alkoxy-, mercapto-, amino-, cyano-, nitro-, alkylthio-, alkylsulfinyl- or alkylsulfonyl-substituted Ci-Cealkyi, C2-C6alkenyl or Ca-CGalkynyi; n is 1 or 2;
R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 8-membered heterocyclic ring that 1) is interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by -NRu- and may be substituted by halogen, CrCioalkyI, Ci-Cioha!oalkyl, hydroxy, CI-CQ-aikoxy, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy, mercapto, Ci-Cealkylthio, C3-CTcycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-CealkyI, phenyl, phenyl-CrCgalkyl or by benzyloxy, wherein the phenyl rings of the last three substituents may in turn by substituted by halogen, Ci-CealkyI, CrCehaloalkyI, CrCealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy or by nitro, and 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene or alkenylene chain having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms that is optionally interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene or alkenylene chain; Ru is hydrogen, Ci-C4alkyl, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl, Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl, Ca-Cealkenyl or Ca-Cealkynyl; and Go is a group -C(0)-R3o, -C(X,)-X2-R3i or -SO2-R34; Xu X2, X3 and X4 are each independently of the others oxygen or sulfur; R30 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted CrCaoaikyl, C2-C2oalkenyl, CrCsalkoxy-Ci-Caalkyl, CrCaalkylthio-Ci-CsalkyI, poly-CrCaalkoxy-Ci-Csalkyl or unsubstituted or halo-substituted Ca-CacycloalkyI, Ga-Cecycloalkyl-Ci-CealkyI, heterocyclyl-Ci'CealkyI, heteroaryl-Ci-CealkyI, unsubstituted or halo-, cyano-, nitro-. CrCealkyI-, Ci-Cealkoxy-, CrCehaloalkyI', Ci-Cehalo-alkoxy-, Ci-Cealkylthio- or Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl'Substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or halo-, nitrO', cyano-. Ci-CealkyI-, Ci-Cealkoxy-, Ci-CehaloalkyI-or Ci-Cehaloalkoxy-substituted phenyl-d-Cealkyl, unsubstituted or halo-or CrCealkyl-substituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted

R3
wherein Ro, Ri, Ra. R3» Re, R7 and n are as defined hereinbefore are new and were developed especially for the process according to the invention. The present invention accordingly relates also to those compounds.
Preferred compounds of formula II are those wherein Ri, R2 and R3 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C4alkyl, Ci-C4haloalkyl, C2-C4alkenyl, C2-C4haloalkenyl, C2-C4alkynyl, Cs-Cecycloalkyi, Ci-C4alkylcarbonyl, Ci-Cealkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, C1-C4-alkoxy, C3- or C4-alkenyloxy, C3- or C4-alkynyloxy, Ci-C4haloalkoxy, nitro or amino.
Preference is given also to compounds of formula II wherein Ri is C2'C6alkyl.
Likewise preferred are compounds of formula 11 wherein n is 0.
Of those, special preference is given to compounds of formula II wherein Ri is C2-C4alkyl, CrC4alkoxy, C2-C4alkynyl or Ca-Cecycloalkyl and R3 is Ci-C4alkyl, CrC4alkoxy, C2-C4alkynyl or Cs-Cecycloalkyl.

Likewise preferred are compounds of formula II wherein R, is Cj-Cealkynyl.
Preference is given to those compounds ot formula li wherein Ri and R3 are each independently of the other C2-C6alkyl, C^-Cealkynyl, Ci-Cioalkoxy or Cs-C^cycloalkyl. Of those, special preference is given to the compounds wherein Rt is C2-C6alkyl and R3 is Ca-Cgalkyl, C2-C6alkynyl or CrCioaikoxy.
Also important are the compounds of formula II wherein Re is RsRgN- and R7 is R10R11N-; RQ, R9, Rio and Rn being as defined for formula II.
The compounds of formula Ha
O O
A k
RgRgN CH NR^QR,^
R, J^ .R3 (||3j^

wherein Ro. Ri, R2, R3 and n are as defined tor formula 1 and Re, R9, R10 and Rn are hydrogen, can be obtained, for example, directly from the corresponding phenyimalonic acid dinitriles of formula VI
NC.^^,ON

(VI),

wherein Ro. Ri, R2, Ro and n are as defined hereinbefore, by means of hydrolysis. Concentrated mineral acids, for example, sulfuric acid or nitric acid, are suitable as hydrolysing agents, where appropriate with the addition of water.
The compounds of formula lla

CH NR3R,
p o
A A

(lla),

wherein Ro, Ri, R2, R3 and n are as defined for formula I and Re, R9, Rio and Rn are each independently of the others hydrogen, CrCealkyJ, CrCehaloalkyI, Ca-Cgalkenyl or benzyl, wherein the phenyl ring of the benzyl group may be substituted by CrC4alkyl, halogen, Ci-C4haloalkyl, CrC4alkoxy or by nitro, can be prepared, for example, as follows: 1) a phenyl acetamide of formula VII

O
A
2
R,
CH. NRgRg

(VII).

wherein Ro, Ri, R2, R3. Ra, R9 and n are as defined hereinbefore, is either
a) reacted with an isocyanate of formula XI
RioN=C==0 (XI),
wherein Rio is as defined hereinbefore except that Rio is not hydrogen, the reaction being optionally catalysed by a base and carried out in an inert reaction medium, (Rn = hydrogen in the compound of formula lla). or
b) reacted at reflux temperature with a carbonate of formula XIV

R,,0

O
II
c

OR,

(XIV).

wherein R12 is CrCgalkyl, Ci-Cshaloalkyl.Ca-Cealkenyl or benzyl, wherein the phenyl ring of the benzyl group may be substituted by CrC4alkyl, halogen, CrC4haloalkyl, CrC4alkoxy or by nitro, and the compound of formula lib

p o
R„0
NR3R9
A A

R
Ri
(lib),
CH
3 (Ho)
n

R,
wherein Ro. Ri, R2, R3, Ra. R9. R12 and n are as defined hereinbefore, is obtained initially and that compound is then reacted in an inert solvent with an amine of formula X
R10R11NH (X).
wherein Rio and Rn are as defined hereinbefore, or 2) a phenylacetic acid ester of formula VIII

(VIII),

wherein Ro, Ri, R2, R3, R12 and n are as defined hereinbefore, is either c) reacted with an isocyanate of formula XV
R8N=C=0 (XV),
wherein Ra is as defined hereinbefore except that Ra is not hydrogen, the reaction being optionally catalysed by a base and carried out in an inert reaction medium, and the compound of formula lib
p o
"■'°'^CH'^NB.R,
(lib),
wherein Ro, Ri, R2. R3, Rsi Ria and n are as defined hereinbefore and Rgis hydrogen, is obtained initially, and that compound is then reacted in an inert solvent, in the manner described under 1) b), with an amine of formula X, or

d) reacted with a carbonate of formula XVI
O
wherein R13 has the same meanings as Ri2, at elevated temperature, and a phenylmalonic acid diester of formula III
O O

R^p CH OR.

(Ill),

wherein Ro, Ri, Rz, R3, R12. R13 and n are as defined hereinbefore, is obtained initially and that compound is then reacted in an inert solvent, in a manner analogous to that described under 1) b), with an amine of formula IX or X
R8R9NH (IX) or R10R11NH (X),
wherein Re, R9, Rio and Ru are as defined hereinbefore.
The above process variants are illustrated in the following Reaction Scheme 3,

Reaction Scheme 3

F\f\^^^crR,^,^H. ^
^ ^^—
sdvart
eq-
X
tase
NC

CN
y^
Vl

R3 HQ
n
(R:)

o o

^fV

r
R2
X
sdvert

O O
d) R,30CCCR,3, T

^^
R,p

O O
^^

^
x;:^

X
base

est

XM

The phenylmalonic acid diamides of formula lla can be obtained in accordance with Reaction Scheme 3 (variant a)), according to known standard procedures, from phenyl acetamides of formula VII using the isocyanates of formula XI, the reaction being optionally catalysed by a base and carried out in an inert solvent.
According to Reaction Scheme 3 (variant b)), the phenylmalonic acid diamides of formula lla can be obtained from the phenyl acetamides of formula VII also by heating for several hours at reflux temperature in carbonates of formula XIV as solvents, via compounds of formula lib and with subsequent amidation in a solvent using amines of formula X, Analogous reactions with phenylacetic acid ester derivatives and carbonates of formula XVI are described, for example, in WO 97/02243.
Further alternative processes for the preparation of the phenylmalonic acid diamides of formula lla, which start from the phenylacetic acid esters of formula VIII, are provided according to Reaction Scheme 3 by the following two process variants: according to variant c), the compounds of formula VIII can, for example, first of all be reacted

analogously to Tetrahedron Lett. 1974, 2427 with isocyanates of formula XV, the reaction being catalysed by a base and carried out in an inert reaction medium, to form the compounds of formula lib (R9=hydrogen), which are then amidated in an inert solvent in a manner analogous to variant b) using amines of formula X; or, according to variant d), the compounds of formula VIII can, for example, first of all be reacted at reflux temperature, in carbonates of formula XVI as solvents, to form the phenylmalonic acid diesters of formula III, which are then amidated in a solvent in a manner analogous to variant b) using amines of formula IX orX.
The compounds of formulae IV, IVa and IVb are either known or can be prepared analo¬gously to known procedures. Processes for the preparation of compounds of formula IV are described, for example, in WO 95/00521 and PCT/EP Application number 99/01593.
The phenylmalonic acid dinitrile derivatives of formula VI are either known or can be prepared analogously to known procedures as described, for example, in Chem. Commun. 1984, 932 or J. Am. Chem. Soc. 121, 1473 (1999).
The phenyl acetamides and phenylacetic acid esters of formulae VII and Vill are known, Phenylacetic acid esters of formula VIII are described, for example, in WO 97/02243.
The reagents of formulae IX, X, XI, XII and Xlla, Xllb, Xllc, Xlld, Xlie and Xllf, XIV, XV and XVI used in Reaction Schemes 1, 2 and 3, respectively, are either known or can be prepared analogously to known procedures.
The present process is distinguished by:
a) easy accessibility of the starting compounds of formula II,
b) simple reaction procedure and working up,
c) generally high product yields,
d) an economically and ecologically advantageous one-pot process for further derivatisation of the compounds of formula I to produce compounds of formula la (e.g. conversion of substituent G to Go), and
e) its economic and ecological advantages derived from the fact that the individual process steps, starting from the preparation of the compounds of formula II (Reaction Scheme 3), the reaction thereof with compounds of formula iV, IVa or IVb to form compounds of formula

I (Reaction Scheme 1) and the reaction thereof with electrophiles of formula XII, Xlla, Xllb, Xllc or Xlld, can be used for a continuous reaction procedure for the preparation of compounds of formula la.
The present preparation process is suitable also especially for the large-scale preparation of 4-aryl-5-oxopyrazoline derivatives of formulae I and la.
The Examples that follow further illustrate the process according to the invention without limiting it.
Preparation Examples:
Example P1: Preparation of 2.4.6-trimethylphenylmalonic acid diamide

NKOC

CONK

A solution of 2.0 g (0.0109 mol) of 2,4.6'trimethylphenylmalonic acid dinitrile in 5 ml of dichloromethane is added dropwise within a period of 2 minutes to a mixture of 5 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid (97 %) and 0.4 ml (0.022 mol) of water. After stirring for 100 hours at 20°C, the reaction mixture is poured onto ice and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are washed with saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo at 60'C. 2.0 g (83 % of theory) of the desired title compound are obtained in the form of yellowish crystals, m.p. 177'179'C.
Example P2: Preparation of 2.6-diethyl-4-methvlphenvlmalonic acid diamide

CK
A solution of 1.5 g (0.0068 mol) of 2,4,6-trimethylphenylmalonJc acid diamide, 2.16 g (0.0082 mol) of [1,4,5]oxadiazepane dihydrobromide and 2.93 g (0.029 mol) of triethylamine in 50 ml of xylene is heated for two hours at reflux temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere. The suspension formed is cooled to 22°C, stirred with IN hydrochloric acid and filtered. The crystalline residue is washed with water and then with diethyl ether and dried in vacuo at 60°C. The desired title compound has a melting point of 248-250°C.

A solution of 2.15 g (0,00866 mol) of 2,6-diethyl-4-methylphenylmalonic acid diamide, 2.64 g (0.010 mol) of [1,4,5]oxadiazepane dihydrobromide and 3.54 g (0.035 mol) of triethylamine in 50 ml of xylene is heated for 2 hours at reflux temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting suspension is cooled to 22°C, 50 ml of IN hydrochloric acid are added and the batch is stirred for 5 minutes. After the addition of 50 ml of hexane, the resulting solid is filtered off, washed with a small amount of water and hexane and dried in vacuo at 80°C. 2.15 g of the desired title compound are obtained in the form of a colourless solid, m.p, 193-194°C. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo at 60°C to yield a further 0.23 g of the desired title compound. Total yield 2.38 g (87 % of theory), 'H-NMR (CDCI3): 6,92 ppm (d, 2H); 4.72 ppm (s, 1H); 4.30 ppm (m, 2H); 3.98 ppm (m. 4H); 3.79 ppm (m, 2H); 2.80 ppm (s, 3H); 2.70 ppm (q, 2H); 2.27 ppm (q, 2H); 1,27 ppm (t, 3H); 1.20 ppm (t. 3H).
Example P5: Preparation of 8-(2.6-diethyl-4-methylphenyl)tetrahydropyrazolo[1,2-d1[1,4.5]-oxadiazepine-7.9-dione
O
N-N

A solution of 0.55 g (0.002 mol) of 2-(2,6-diethyl-4-methylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethylmalonamide, 0,42 g (0.0024 mol) of [1,4,5]oxadiazepane dihydrobromide and 1.17 ml (0.0084 mol) of triethylamine in 6 ml of xylene is heated for 18 hours at reflux temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture is then poured into water, the mixture is rendered acidic with 2N hydrochloric acid and the suspension is stirred with hexane. The solid is filtered off, washed with water and hexane and dried in vacuo at 50°C. 0.33 g of the desired title compound is obtained in the form of beige crystals, m.p. 192-193.5°C.
Example P6: One-pot process for the preparation of 2.2-dimethvlpropionic acid 8-(2.6-diethvl-4-methvlphenvn-9-'OXo-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-9H-pyrazolof1.2-diri .4,5]oxadiazepin-7-yl
ester
O

30 ml of a 33 % solution of methylamine in ethanol are added to 4.18 g (0.015 mol) of 2-(2,6-diethyl-4-methylphenyl)malonic acid dimethyl ester at 22'C and the batch is stirred at Jd'^C for 30 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured into water, and the mixture is rendered acidic with concentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether. The organic extracts are washed with saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo at 60°C. The residue obtained (4.0 g of a brown oil) is stirred with hexane, 1.74 g of the desired title compound being obtained in the form of a crystalline product, m.p. 98-1 COX.
Example P8: Preparation of 2-(2.4,6-trimethvlphenvl)tetrahvdropvrazQloM.2-a]pvridazine-1.3-diQne (without the addition of a base)
N"N

A solution of 2.05 g (0.0093 mol) of 2,4,6-trimethylphenyimalonic acid diamide and 0-95 g (0.0110 mol) of hexahydropyridazine in 50 ml of xylene is boiled for 2 hours at reflux temperature under nitrogen. The reaction mixture is then cooled to 22*^0 and stirred with 50 ml of 1N hydrochloric acid; the resulting suspension is filtered and the crystalline residue is washed first with diethyl ether and then with water and dried in vacuo. 2,2 g of the desired title compound are obtained in the form of colourless crystals, m.p. 247-248°C.

or Cs-Cealkynyl or halo-, hydroxy-, alkoxy-, mercapto-, amino-, cyano-, nitro-, alkylthio-, alkylsulfinyl- or alkylsulfonyl-substituted Ci-CealkyI, Cz-Cealkenyl or Ca-Cealkynyl; n isO, 1 or 2;
R4 and R5 are each independently of the other hydrogen, CrCiaalkyI, CrCi2haloalkyl, Cs-Caalkenyl, C2-C8alkynyl, CrCioalkoxy-CrCsalkyI, poly-Ci-Cioalkoxy-Ci-CealkyI, d-Cioalkylthio-CrCsalkyl, Cs-CscycioalkyI, Ca-CshalocycloalkyI, 4- to 8-membered heterocyclyl, phenyl, a- or p-naphthyl, phenyl-Ci-CealkyI, a- or p-naphthyl-Ci-Cealkyl, 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl or 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl-Ci-Cealkyi, wherein those aromatic and heteroaromatic rings may be substituted by halogen, Ci-CealkyI, CrCehaloaikyl, Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy, nitro or by cyano; or
R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 8-membered heterocyclic ring that 1) may be interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by "NRi4- and/or may be substituted by halogen. Ci-Cioalkyl, CrCiohaloalkyI, hydroxy, Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy, mercapto, CrCealkylthio, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-CealkyI, phenyl, phenyl-Ci-CealkyI or by benzyloxy, wherein the phenyl rings of the last three substituents may in turn be substituted by halogen, CrCealkyl, CrCehaloaikyI, CrCealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy or by nitro, and/or 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene or alkenylene chain having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms that is optionally interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene or alkenylene chain; RM is hydrogen, Ci-C4alkyl. d-Cealkylcarbonyl, CrCealkylsuifonyl, Ca-Cealkenyl or Cs-Cealkynyl; and G is hydrogen, a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium cation,

wherein RQ, RI, R2. R3 and n are as defined hereinbefore; Re is RsRsNs R7 is RioRnN- or R12O-; and Rs, R9, Rio» Rn and R12 are each independently of the others hydrogen, Ci-Ce-alkyl, Ci-CehaloalkyI, Ca-Cealkenyl or benzyl, wherein the phenyl ring of the benzyl group

may be substituted by Ci-C4alkyl, halogen, Ci-C4haloalkyl, Ci-C4alkoxy or by nitro, in an inert organic solvent, optionally in the presence of a base, with a compound of formula IV, IVa or IVb

wherein R4 and R5 are as defined hereinbefore and H»Hal is a hydrogen halide, and optionally converting the resulting compound of formula I wherein G is a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium cation, by salt conversion into the corresponding salt of formula I wherein G is a sulfonium or phosphonium cation, or by treatment with a Bronsted acid into
the corresponding compound of formula I wherein G is hydrogen,
■*
2, A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I according to claim 1, wherein Ro is, each independently of any other, halogen, d-Cealkyl, CrCehaloalkyI, hydroxy, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, nitro, amino, CrCealkylamino, di(Ci-C6alkyl)amino, Ci-Cealkylcarbonylamino, Ci-Ce-alkylsulfonylamino, Ci-Cealkyiaminosulfonyl, CrC4alkylcarbonyl, Ci-Cealkoxycarbonyl or carboxy; and
Ri, Raand R3 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, CrCealkyl, Cz-Ce-alkenyl, Ca-Cealkynyl, Ca-Cecycloalkyl. Ci-Cehaloalkyl. Ca-Cshaloalkenyl, Ca-Cehaloalkynyl, Ca-CehalocycloalkyI, CrCealkoxy-Ci-CealkyI, Ci-Cealkylthio-Ci-CealkyI, cyano, Ci-C4alkyi-carbonyl, Ci-Cealkoxycarbonyj, hydroxy, CrCioalkoxy, Ca-Cealkenyloxy, Cs-Cealkynyloxy. CrCehaioalkoxy, Cs-Cehaloalkenyloxy, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ci-Cealkoxy, mercapto, Ci-Cealkylthio, Ci-Cehaloalkylthio, CrCealkylsulfinyl, Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl, nitro, amino, CrC4alkylaminoor di(Ci-C4aikyl)amino.

Go is a group -C(O)-R30,-C(Xi)-X2-R3i,-C(X3)-N(R32)-R33,-SO2-R34 or-P(X4)(R35)-R36; Xi, X2, Xa and X4 are each independently of the others oxygen or sulfur; R30 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted Ci-CaoalkyI, C2-C2oalkenyl, Ci-Caalkoxy-CrCaalkyl, Ci-Caalkylthio-CrCsalkyI, poly-Ci-Csalkoxy-Ci-CsalkyI or unsubstituted or halo-, Ci-Cealkyl-or Ci-Cealkoxy-substituted Ca-CacycloalkyI in which optionally at least one ring member has been replaced by oxygen and/or by sulfur, Cs-CeCycloalkyl-CrCealkyl. heterocyclyl-CrCe-alkyl, heteroaryl-Ci-Cealkyl. unsubstituted or halo-, cyano-. nitro-, CrCsalkyl-, CrCeaikoxy-, Ci-CehaloalkyI-, CrCehaloalkoxy-. Ci-Cealkylthio- or Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl-substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, cyano-, Ci-CealkyI-, d-Cealkoxy-, Ci-CehaloalkyI- or Ci-Ce-haloalkoxy-substituted phenyl-Ci-CealkyI, unsubstituted or halo- or Ci-Cealkyl-substituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted or halo- or CrCealkyl-substituted phenoxy-CrCealkyl, or unsub¬stituted or halo-, amino- or Ci-Cealkyl-substituted heteroaryloxy-Ci-CealkyI; R31 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted Ci-C2oalkyl, C2-C2oalkenyl, Ci-Csalkoxy-Cs-Csalkyi, poly-CrC8alkoxy-C2-C8alkyl, unsubstituted or halo-, Ci-Ceaikyl- or Ci-Cealkoxy-substituted Cs-Cscycloalkyl, Ca-Cecycloalkyl-CrCealkyJ, heterocyclyl-CrCealkyt, heteroaryl-CrCealkyI, unsubstituted or halo-, cyano-, nitro-, CrCealkyI-, Ci-Csalkoxy-, Ci-CehaloalkyI- or CrCe-haloalkoxy-substituted phenyl or benzyl;
R32 and R33 are each independently of the other hydrogen, unsubstituted or halo-substituted d-Cealkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, CrCsalkoxy, Ca-Csalkenyl, CrCsalkoxy-Ci-Csalkyl, unsubstituted or halo-, CrCshaloalkyl-, CrCsalkyI- or Ci-Csalkoxy-substituted phenyl or benzyl; or R32 and R33 together form a Ca-Cealkylene chain in which a carbon atom has optionally been replaced by oxygen or by sulfur;
R34 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted Ci-CsalkyI, Cs-Csalkenyl, Cs-Cshaloalkenyl, Cs-Ca-alkynyl, Ca-Cahaloalkynyl, or unsubstituted or halo-, CrCealkyl-, d-Cealkoxy-, d-dhalo-alkyl-, Ci-C4haloalkoxy-, cyano- or nilro-substituted phenyl or benzyl; R35 and R36 are each independently of the other unsubstituted or halo-substituted d-Caalkyl, CrCsalkoxy, d-Csalkylamino. di(CrC8alkyl)amino, Ci-Caalkylthio, Ca-Caalkenylthio, d-C7cycloalkylthio, or unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, cyano-, Ci-C4alkoxy-, Crdhaloalkoxy-, Crdalkylthior, Crdhaloalkylthio-, d-CAalkyl- or Ci-dhaloalkyl-substituted phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio,
which process comprises reacting a compound of formula I prepared in accordance with claim 1, directly in the reaction solution in a one-pot reaction without isolation, optionally in the presence of an acid-binding agent or a catalyst, with an electrophile of formula Xli or Xlld

Go-L (XII) or R32-N^C=X3 (Xlld),
wherein Go, R32 and X3 are as defined hereinbefore except that R32 is not hydrogen, and L is a leaving group.
4. A process according to claim 2, wherein Ri, R2 and R3 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C4alkyl, C2-C4alkenyl, C2"C4alkynyl, Ci-C4haIoalkyl, C3- or C4' haloalkenyl, Cs-CecycJoalkyl, Ci-G4alkylcarbonyl, CrCeaikoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, Ci-C4alkoxy, C3- or C4-alkenyloxy, C3- or C4-alkynyloxy, Ci-C4haloalkoxy, nitro or amino.
5. A process according to claim 1, wherein R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a saturated or unsaturated, 6- or 7-membered heterocyclic ring that 1) may be interrupted once by oxygen or by sulfur and/or 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene chain having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms that is optionally interrupted once or twice by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene chain.
6. A process according to claim 1, which comprises using a compound of formula II wherein Ra, Rg, Rio. R11 and R12 are hydrogen, CrCealkyI or benzyl
7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula IV, IVa or IVb is used in an equimolar amount or. preferably, in an excess of from 5 to 50 mol %, based on the compound of formula II
8. A process according to claim 1. wherein the reaction is carried out at a reaction temperature of from 0"* to 200°C,
9. A process according to claim 1, which comprises using as the inert organic solvent for the reaction an aromatic, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon, halogenated hydrocarbon, an ether, nitrile, dialkyi sulfoxide, amide or lactam, an alcohol, glycol or polyalcohol, a carboxylic acid, or a mixture of such solvents.
10. A process according to claim 9, which comprises using as the solvent toluene, one of
the xylene isomers ortho-, meta- and para-xylene, methylcyclohexane, chlorobenzene or
one of the dichlorobenzene isomers 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-dichlorobenzene.

11. A process according to claim 1, which comprises carrying out the condensation reaction in an inert gas atmosphere.
12. A process according to claim 1, which comprises carrying out the reaction of a compound of formula II with a compound of formula IV with or without the addition of a base.
13. A process according to claim 1, which comprises carrying out the reaction of a compound of formula II with a compound of formula IVa or IVb in the presence of a base.
14. A process according to claim 13, which comprises using as base a tertiary amine, pyridine, alkali metal alcoholate, or alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydride, hydroxide, carbonate or hydrogen carbonate.
15. A process according to claim 14, which comprises using the base in catalytic amounts or in a molar excess of up to 5, based on the compound of formula II.

16. The use of a compound of formula I according to claim 1 prepared in accordance with the invention, wherein G is hydrogen, a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium cation, for the In situ' preparation of a compound of formula la wherein Go is a group 'C(O)-R30. ■C(Xi)^X2-R3i, -C(X3)-N(R32)-R33, -S02'R34 or -P(X4)(R35)-R36; and Rao. R31, R32, R33. R34, R35, R36, Xi, X2, X3 and X4 are as defined hereinbefore.
17. A compound of formula I

alkylamino, di(CrC6alkyl)amino, CrCealkylcarbonylamino, Ci-Cealkyisulfonylamino, Ci-Ce-alkylaminosulfonyl, Ci-Cealkyicarbonyl, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl-CrCealkyI, Ci-Cealkoxycarbonyl-CrCealkyl, Ci-Cealkyjcarbonyl-Ca-Cealkenyi, Ci-Cealkoxycarbonyl-Cs-Cealkenyl, CrCg-alkylcarbonyl-C2-C6alkynyl, CrC6alkoxycarbonyl-C2-C6alkynyl, CrCealkoxycarbonyl, cyano, carboxyl, phenyl or an aromatic ring that contains 1 or 2 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, wherein the latter two aromatic rings may be substituted by Ci-CsalkyI, CrCahaloalkyI, Ci-C3alkoxy, Ci-Cshaloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro; or Ro, together with the adjacent substituents Ri, R2 and R3, forms a saturated or unsaturated Cs-Cehydrocarbon bridge that may be interrupted by 1 or 2 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur and/or may be substituted by Ci-C4alkyl; Ri, R2and R3 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, CrCealkyI, C2-C6alkenyl. Ca-Cealkynyl, Ca-CecycloalkyI, Ci-CehaloalkyI, C2-C6haloalkenyl, CrCealkoxycarbonyJ-Cs-Cealkenyl, CrCealkylcarbonyl-Ca-Cealkenyl, cyano-C2-C6alkenyl, nitro-C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6haloalkynyl, CrC6alkoxycarbonyl-C2-C6alkynyl, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl-Ca-Cealkynyl, cyano-C2-C6alkynyl, nitrO'C2-C6alkynyl, Ca-Ce-halocycloalkyI, hydroxy-Cr Cgaikyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-Ci-CealkyI, Ci-Cealkylthio-Ci-Ceaikyl, cyano, CrC4alkylcarbonyl, CrCealkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, Crdoalkoxy, Ca-Cealkenyloxy, Cs-Ceaikynyloxy, Ci-Cehalo-alkoxy, Cs-Cehaloalkenyloxy, Ci-CGalkoxy-Ci-Cealkoxy, mercapto, Ci-Cealkylthio, d-Cshalo-alkylthio, Ci-Cealkylsulfinyl, Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl, nitro, amino, CrCealkylamino, di(CrC6alkyl)' amino or phenoxy in which the phenyl ring may be substituted by Ci-CsalkyI, Ci-CshaloalkyI, Ci-Caalkoxy, Ci-Cahaloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro;
R2 also may be phenyl, naphthyl or a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring that may contain 1 or 2 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, wherein the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by halogen, Cs-Cscycloaikyl, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, cyano, nitro or by
formyl; and/or
the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by CrCealkyI, CrCealkoxy, hydroxy-CrCeaJkyl, CrCealkoxy-CrCealkyI, CrCe-alkoxy-CrCealkoxy, CrCealkyicarbonyl, CrCgalkylthio, CrCealkylsulfinyl, CrCealkylsulfonyl, mono-CrCealkylamino, di(CrC6alkyl)amino, CrCealkyicarbonylamino, CrCealkylcarbonyl-(CrCealkyOamino, Ca-Cealkenyl, Ca-Cealkenyloxy, hydroxy-Ca-Cealkenyi, CrC6alkoxy-C2-C6-alkenyl, CrCealkoxy-Ca-Cealkenyloxy, C2-C6alkenylcarbonyl, C2-C6alkenylthio, C2-C6-alkenylsulfinyl, C2-C6alkenylsulfonyl, mono- or di-(C2-C6alkenyl)amino. CrCealkyKCa-Ce-alkenyl)amino, C2-C6alkenylcarbonylamino, C2-C6alkenylcarbonyl(CrC6alkyl)amino, C2'C6-

alkynyl, C3-C6alkynyloxy, hydroxy-Cs-Cealkynyl, CrCealkoxy-Cs-Cealkynyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-C4-C6alkynyloxy, Cs-Cealkynylcarbonyl, Ca^Cealkynylthio, Cs-Csalkynylsulfinyl, C2'C6alkynyl-sulfonyl, mono- or di-(C3-C6alkyny!)amino, CrCealkyKCa-CealkynyOamino, C2-C6alkynyl-carbonylamino or by Cs-CealkynylcarbonyKCrCealkyOamino; and/or the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by halo-substituted CrCealkyI, Ci-Cealkoxy, hydroxy-CfCealkyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-CrCsaikyI, Ci-Cealkoxy-CrCealkoxy, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl, CrCealkylthio, d-Cealkylsulfinyl, Ci-Cealkylsulfonyl. mono-d-Ceaikylamino, di(CrC6aikyl)amino, Ci-Cealkylcarbonylamino, CrCealkylcarbonyKCi-CealkyQamino, d-Cealkenyl, d-Cealkenyloxy, hydroxy-Cs-Cealkenyl, Ci-Cealkoxy-d-Cealkenyl, d-Cealkoxy-d-Cealkenyloxy, d-Cealkenylcarbonyl, d-Ceaikenyl-thlo, Ca-Cealkenylsulfinyl, Ca-Csalkenylsulfonyl, mono- ordi-(C2-C6alkenyl)amino, d-Cealkyl-(Cs-CealkenyOamino, Ca-Cealkenylcarbonylamino, C2-C6alkenylcarbonyl(CrC6alkyl)amino, Ca-Cealkynyl, d-Cealkynyloxy, hydroxy-d-Cealkynyl, d-Cealkoxy-d^Cealkynyl, CrCealkoxy-d-Csalkynyloxy, Ca-Cealkynylcarbonyl, Ca-Cealkynylthio, d-Cealkynylsulfinyl, Ca-Cealkynyl-sulfonyl, mono- or di-(d-C6alkynyl)amino, CrC6alkyi(C3-C6alkynyl)amino. Ca-Cealkynyl-carbonylamino or Cz-CealkynyicarbonyKCi-CealkyOamino; and/or
the phenyl ring, the naphthyl ring system and the 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring may be substituted by a radical of the formula COOR50, CONR51, S02NR53R54or SOaORss wherein R50, R5i> R52, R53, R54 and R55 are each independently of the others d-CealkyI, Cs-Cealkenyl or d-Cealkynyl or halo-, hydroxy-, alkoxy-. mercapto-, amino-, cyano-, nitro-, alkylthio-, alkylsulfinyl- or alkylsulfonyl-substituted CrCealkyI, C2-C6alkenyl or Cs-Cealkynyl; n is 1 or 2; R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 8-membered heterocyclic ring that 1) is interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by -NRu- and may be substituted by halogen. Ci-Cioalkyl, CrCiohaloalkyI, hydroxy, d-Cealkoxy, d-Cealkoxy-CrCealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy, mercapto, CrCealkylthio, d-CycycloalkyI, heteroaryl. heteroaryl-d-CealkyI, phenyl, phenyl-CrCealkyl or by benzyloxy, wherein the phenyl rings of the last three substituents may in turn be substituted by halogen, CrCealkyI, d-CshaloalkyI, Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy or by nitro, and 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene or alkenylene chain having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms that is optionally interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene or alkenylene chain; R14 is hydrogen, d-C4alkyl, CrCealkylcarbonyl, d-Cealkylsulfonyl, Ca-Cealkenyl or Cs-Cealkynyl; and G is hydrogen or a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium cation.

oxygen, sulfur or by -NRH- and may be substituted by halogen, CrCioalkyl, Ci-CiohaloalkyI, hydroxy, CrCealkoxy, CrCealkoxy-Ci-Cealkoxy, Ci-Cehaloalkoxy, mercapto, Ci-Cealkylthio, C3-C7cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-Ceaikyl, phenyl, phenyl-d-Cealkyl or by benzyloxy, wherein the phenyl rings of the last three substituents may in turn by substituted by halogen, Ci-Ceaikyl, Ci-Cehaloalkyi, d-Cealkoxy, CrCehaioaikoxy or by nitro, and 2) may contain a fused or spiro-bound alkylene or alkenylene chain having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms that is optionally interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur, or at least one ring atom of the saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring bridges that alkylene or alkenylene chain; R14 is hydrogen, CrC4alkyl, Ci-Cealkylcarbonyl, Ci-CeaJkylsulfonyl, Ca-CeaJkenyl or Ca-Ceaikynyl; and Go is a group -C(0)-R3o. -C(Xi)-X2-R3i or-S02-R34; Xi, X2, X3 and X4 are each independently of the others oxygen or sulfur; R30 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted CrCsoaJkyl, Ca-Caoalkenyl, Ci-Cgalkoxy-CrCgalkyl, Ci-Csaikylthio-d-Caalkyl, poly-CrCgalkoxy-d-CBalkyI or unsubstituted or halo-substituted d-CscycloalkyI, Ca-Cecycloalkyl-d-CealkyI, heterocyclyl-CrCealkyl, heteroaryl-Ci-Cealkyl. unsubstituted or halo-, cyano-, nitro-, CrCealkyI-, Ci-Cealkoxy-, Ci-CehaloalkyI-, Ci-Cehalo-alkoxy-, CrCeaJkylthio- or d-Cealkylsulfonyi-substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, cyano-, d-CealkyI-, d-Cealkoxy-, Ci-CehaloalkyI- or CrCehaloalkoxy-substituted phenyl-Ci-Cgalkyl, unsubstituted or halo- or Ci-Csalkyl-substituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted or halo- or Ci-Cealkyl-substituted phenoxy-d-Cealkyl, or unsubstituted or halo-, amino- or CrCealkyl-substituted heteroaryloxy-CrCealkyl; R31 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted CrCsoalkyI, C2-C2oalkenyl, CrC8alkoxy-C2-C8alkyl, poly-Ci-C8alkoxy-C2-C8alkyl, unsub¬stituted or halo- or d-Cealkoxy-substituted Cs-CscycloalkyI, Ca-Cecycloalkyl-Ci-CealkyI, heterocyclyl-Ci-CealkyI, heteroaryl-Ci-CealkyI, unsubstituted or halo-, cyano-, nitro-, Ci-Ce¬aikyl-, d-Ceaikoxy-, Ci-CehaloalkyI- or Ci-Cehaloalkoxy-substituted phenyl or benzyl; R34 is unsubstituted or halo-substituted Ci-Caalkyl, or unsubstituted or halo-, Ci-Ceaikyl-, Ci-Ce-alkoxy-, CrC4haloalkyl-, Ci-C4haloalkoxy-, cyano- or nitro-substituted phenyl.

wherein Ro, Ri, R2, R3, Re, R7 and n are as defined in claim 1.
20. A compound of formula II according to claim 19, wherein Ri, R2 and R3 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C4alkyl, CrC4haloalkyl, C2-C4alkenyl, C2-C4haloalkenyl, C2-C4alkynyl, Ca-CecycloalkyI, Ci-C4alkylcarbonyl, Ci-Cealkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, Ci-C4alkoxy, C3- or C4-alkenyloxy, C3- or C4-alkynyloxy, Ci-C4haloalkoxy. nitro or amino.
21. A compound of formula 11 according to claim 19, wherein Ri is Ca-Cealkyl.
22. A compound of formula II according to claim 19, wherein n is 0.
23. A compound of formula II according to claim 22, wherein Ri is C2-C4aikyl. Ci-C4alkoxy,
C2-C4alkynyl or Cs-CecycloalkyI and R3 is Ci-C4alkyl, Ci-C4alkoxy, C2-C4alkynyl or Ca-Ce-
cycloalkyl sind.
24. A compound of formula II according to claim 19, wherein Ri is C2-C6alkynyl.
25. A compound of formula II according to claim 19, wherein Ri and R3 are each
independently of the other C2'C6alkyl, C2-C6alkynyl, Ci-Cioalkoxy or Ca-CecycloalkyI,
26. A compound of formula II according to claim 25, wherein Ri is Ca-CealkyI and R3 is
C2-C6alkyl, C2-C6alkynyl or Ci-Cioalkoxy.
27. A compound of formula II according to claim 19, wherein Re is RaRsN- and R? is
RioRnNs and Ra, R9, Rio and Rn are as defined hereinbefore.

27. A process for the preparation of a compound substantially as herein described and exemplified.
28. A compound substantially as herein described and exemplified.